Alaska Airlines Grounds Boeing Fleet After In-Flight Incident
Alaska Airlines has temporarily halted operations of its Boeing 737 MAX-9 jets following a cabin hole incident.
Jordan Taylor
- 2024-01-06
- Updated 02:59 PM ET
(NewsNibs) - The emergency grounding affects the entire Alaska Airlines fleet of Boeing 737 MAX-9 aircraft as a safety precaution. This action was taken after an in-flight occurrence where a hole was discovered in the cabin of Alaska Flight 1282, en route to Southern California. The event unfolded shortly after the plane took off from Portland International Airport and was bound for Ontario, California. Approximately 20 minutes into the flight, passengers reported a loud boom, followed by the deployment of oxygen masks. The plane executed an emergency landing back at Portland International Airport with its 171 passengers and six crew members unharmed. Some passengers' personal effects, however, were reportedly lost through the opening created in the aircraft during the incident.
Safety Inspections to Follow
Alaska Airlines has committed to a rigorous inspection protocol, asserting that each aircraft will only be reinstated into service after thorough maintenance and security inspections are conducted. The company's CEO, Ben Minicucci, has issued a formal statement on the mishap. Additionally, the airline has projected that the completion of all aircraft evaluations will occur in the next several days. The Flight Attendants union has backed the decision to ground the fleet, prioritizing safety considerations.
Regulatory Reaction and Investigation
Following the episode, Federal aviation officials announced an Emergency Airworthiness Directive, necessitating the inspection of 171 Boeing 737 MAX-9 planes globally. The planes have been in operation since October 2023 and are now under scrutiny due to this latest safety event. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken charge of investigating the cause of the incident, aiming to determine the specifics that led to the structural compromise of the airplane.
As Alaska Airlines copes with the immediate aftermath of the incident, their focus remains on ensuring the highest safety standards are met. This move to ground the fleet is seen as a precautionary measure while investigations by NTSB and global inspections proceed. The airline has reassured that it is working diligently to minimize disruption and maintain the safety of its passengers and crew.